Hey, Mary: Why isn't anyone talking about Carrick Felix? He seems to be left out of conversations. I believe he's going to shock people and be a difference-maker this year with his defense and nonstop motor. -- John Reed, Atlanta

Hey, John: The Cavs in general, and Mike Brown in particular, share your enthusiasm for Felix. I think people aren't talking about him yet because they haven't had a chance to see him in action.

Hey, Mary: Andrew Bynum seems to have been working his tail off here in Cleveland to get back to his old form. Do you think he just didn't want to play for Philly when he was traded there and decided to get his knees taken care of and miss that year and take a deal with a team he did want to go to, even though it's all incentive-based? He did make a ton to sit out last year. -- Paul Talbott, Massillon

Hey, Mary: Since Andrew Bynum has signed, has he worked out for the Cavs coaches? -- Angelo Costanzo, Cleveland

Hey, Paul and Angelo: Bynum has been working out here nearly every day since he signed. I seriously doubt he planned to sit out last season since he was a free agent this summer and cost himself a lot of money by being unable to play last season. I think it was an unfortunate set of circumstances that kept him off the court. I also think that is the reason he has been working so hard to try and regain his form.

Hey, Mary: What do you think the starting five for the Cavs will be this season? -- Mark Poss, Detroit

Hey, Mark: For the sake of argument, I'm going to make the very big assumption that Bynum is healthy when the season starts. Because I think he'll be better off playing right after he warms up, I'm going to list him as the starting center, with Tristan Thompson at power forward, Earl Clark at small forward, Dion Waiters at shooting guard and that Kyrie Irving kid at point guard.

Hey, Mary: Last week you mentioned Igor Kokoskov will be in charge of the offense this year. What are his qualifications to be in charge of our offense, and what type of offense should we expect next season? -- Anthony, Cleveland

Hey, Anthony: What I said was that all coaches would have input in all areas but that Kokoskov was the offensive specialist on the staff. Mike Brown still is in charge of the offense, and he has not yet shared with reporters his plan for the season. As for Kokoskov's background, he is a Serbian native who became a U.S. citizen in 2010. He has spent 13 seasons in the NBA, starting with the Los Angeles Clippers and then moving on to Detroit and Phoenix before coming to Cleveland. He served as the Suns unofficial offensive coordinator after Lindsay Hunter replaced Alvin Gentry last season. He became the first full-time foreign-born assistant in the NBA in 2000 with the Clippers. He also is the coach of the Georgian national team featuring Zaza Pachulia.

Hey, Mary: What are the Cavaliers draft picks for 2014? Do they still have additional picks besides theirs? Who do you think would be their best picks based on their current roster? -- Al Parker, Atlanta

Hey, Al: In 2014, the Cavs have their own first-round pick, plus Sacramento's pick (top 12 protected). They have their own second-round pick, Memphis' second-round pick and Orlando's second-round pick. I think they should try to get Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker.

Hey, Mary: Besides health, the Cavs appear to have very few weaknesses, but one that stands out is shooting. Do you know if the Cavs are in the market for 3-point shooting? With Boobie gone, the Cavs are left with Kyrie, C. J. Miles and Karasev as the only pure 3-point threats on the roster. Gee, Clark, Waiters and Jack won't prevent teams from sagging in the lane to double the post or stop Kyrie's drives. -- Will Saunders, Pittsburgh

Hey, Will: So, you're not worried about their defense, huh? You do make a good point about the team missing a pure shooter, but Irving makes them when they count, Miles can get hot and Karasev is billed as a good shooter. That being said, I think the Cavs are still looking to add a shooter if they can.

Hey, Mary: I have read a few articles about Washington being an up-and-coming team and how the Wizards backcourt is just as good, if not better than, the Cavs. Is John Wall close to what Kyrie Irving is as a player and personality-wise? I understand Beal being rated above Waiters, but he has had an extra year. Thoughts? -- Brian, Houston

Hey, Brian: I'll take Irving every time over Wall, even with Wall's speed. Not sure what you mean by Beal having an extra year. He and Waiters were rookies last season, and Waiters actually scored more (14.7 points to 13.9) and shot better (41.2 percent to 41) though Beal was better from 3-point range (38.6 percent to 31). Waiters played two years at Syracuse, while Beal played one at Florida, so Waiters actually has had the extra year. I'd like to see one more year for both of them before I give either an edge.

Hey, Mary: Trouble in Houston. Any chance the Cavs trade Andy for Asik? We get younger and have a more natural center in case Bynum flops. -- John Lindquist, Berea

Hey, John: I checked with a source in Houston, who tells me that while Asik is not happy being demoted to backup behind Dwight Howard, the Rockets insist they're not going to trade him, in part because they value his defense off the bench. If the Rockets changed their minds, they'd likely be looking for a better shooter than Varejao.

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